Pets – classed under French civil law as property like tables and chairs – are to be given a new legal status as ‘sentient beings’ Photo above: Alamy By David Chazan, Paris Pets in France will no longer be considered as pieces of furniture,...

By Margaret Burin As with every year during the holiday season, animal shelters around the state are overflowing with dogs and cats that have fled their homes or been abandoned. We visited a north coast animal rescue centre and met some of the pets looking for a...

INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL LAW Most people would think that veterinarians would be the first professionals to support the concept that pets have sentimental value. After all, many veterinarians (particularly those in companion animal practice) witness the emotional...